Lymphatic Involvement in the Disappearance of Steroidogenic Cells from the Corpus Luteum during Luteolysis
Figure 5
Possible mechanisms of structural luteolysis via lymphatic vessels.
Bovine spontaneous luteolysis is caused by PGF2α from the uterus. During structural luteolysis, luteal cells are killed by apoptosis, and macrophages simultaneously infiltrate into the CL to remove luteal cells by phagocytosis. Immediately after starting phagocytosis, luteal cells start flowing into the lymphatic vessels. Luteolysis proceeds to a phase of next ovulation. After ovulation, the outflow of the luteal cells continues, and ensures the definitive disappearance of the CL tissue from the ovary.